Wheat is the Reason for Your Waistline

Eating a large quantity of wheat is a major reason for the belly you have today.  Lose the wheat; lose the belly fat. Today's wheat is not the wheat your grandparents ate. It is processed and has a very negative impact on your body and health.…
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Is College Worth it Today? An Alternative Idea

When I went to college ( U. Of  Iowa) the out-of-state cost was around $5,000.  Four years and $20,000 or so later I and was done (thanks again mom and dad for paying). My first salaried job paid me $19,500, or almost the equivalent of what…
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Father/Son Journey Continues

Yes, I am living vicariously through my son, Jake's, youth baseball career.  It's been a fun, interesting, and at times an exasperating experience so far.  Did I mention, expensive? We just spent the past five days in Ft. Myers as he traveled…
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Spoiling Kids Could Make Them Rotten and you Poor

Kids have always been sponges when it comes to learning from their parents. As an adult, I can reflect on what I learned from my mom and dad. I admit (and am proud of) that I'm a lot like they were/are.  Unfortunately, I've spoiled my kids…

It's Not About the Fishing - Great Friendships are Priceless

I spent the past two weeks in Canada and it was really nice to be away. The first week, I took Soni and our three kids to a family friendly fishing resort , 12 hours north with a beach and other activities.  Unfortunately, the weather turned…
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Your Clock is Ticking

Last week, I wrote about some perks of getting older.  Unfortunately, one of the most difficult things about getting older in facing death.  Over the past couple weeks, four of my peers have lost their father.  They were good…
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Perks of Getting Older

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of going to the wedding for one of my childhood best friend's daughter.  This was my first wedding for a peer's child and I guess it is just another milestone to indicate I am getting older. Does getting…
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Why I Prefer Stocks to Bonds

For the past 30 years, interest rates have been moving down and bond prices have been going up.  Now, interest rates are at a level when the best case is they "stay flat" as there is not much room to go any lower. With the low-interest rates…

Live Like You Were Dying

Lately, there have been a convergence of reminders for me that life on earth is brief and that I should quit going through the motions of life and live it to the fullest while I am still able. Recently, I watched a terrific ESPN short movie…
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Why CFP® Certification Matters

Most people think all financial planners are "certified," but this isn't true. Anyone can call himself a "financial planner." Only those who have fulfilled the certification and renewal requirements of CFP Board can display the CFP® certification…
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Stock Market Roars Up - Use Logic Rather Than Emotion

The U.S. stock market just had a terrific first quarter.  The S&P 500 index was up 10.0% over the past three months. My client portfolios were not up that much because they also own many other investment asset classes that didn't advance…
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The Best Investment I Ever Made

Reconnecting With The Past About 22 years ago, I was asked by a girl I liked if I would volunteer to tutor a child from the Cabrini Green area.  I said  "ok" and went to the Fourth Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue in Chicago the next…
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How to Save Money While Getting Healthy

Earlier this month, I was reminded by a sports nutritionist how horrible soda is for your body and how critical water is to living a healthy life.  The nutritionist mentioned that a lack of the ability to focus is a common symptom of dehydration…
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$1 Million in Life Insurance Not Enough

Last week, I was shaken when I heard about the tragic death of a Glen Ellyn acquaintance that lost a two-year battle to cancer. The death of this fine man, husband and father hit home not only because he had lived a few blocks away, but he was…